The Stanley Drinking Cup Was Actually Invented 100+ Years Ago by a Massachusetts Man

The craziness surrounding this now-viral 40-ounce insulated cup with a handle, straw, and lid continues to prove the power of the internet. It all started because a woman's car caught on fire and was completely obliterated, except for the Stanley Quencher Cup sitting in her cup holder.

It was originally invented by William Stanley Jr., who was born in New York but grew up and lived in both Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on the New York and Connecticut borders.

He was also a Yale University dropout who wanted to focus on inventions. It was in 1913 when he invented the Stanley Cup by applying techniques he had learned through electronics, according to the CT Insider website. This is when he invented the inner and outer metal layers for durability to replace the glass vacuum flasks on the market, mostly for storing and transporting milk.

For decades after, Stanley Cups didn't come with straws or fun colors because they were geared at men and used by blue-collar workers, as well as campers and outdoor enthusiasts.

They still are.

Jump ahead to 2016, where fun colors and straws widen the audience appeal to include women, and they started selling at Target. They didn't do that well until 2019 when a shopping blog called The Buy Guide started selling them to readers after striking a deal with Stanley, according to the Business Insider. 

Then enter the burning car video from 2023, and we've never looked back. The video catapulted them to a cult status, where even the shelves of Targets had trouble keeping them stocked.

By the way, since we're shopping online like never before because of the pandemic, you can click here on the Stanley website to browse and buy, too.

PS: In a marketing genius move, Stanley bought a brand-new car for the woman whose car burned. According to CNBC, Stanley went from $70 million in sales in 2020 to $750 million in 2023.